{"id":203087,"date":"2022-01-04T11:47:48","date_gmt":"2022-01-04T16:47:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scienceandartofherbalism.com\/?p=203087&preview=true&preview_id=203087"},"modified":"2025-07-28T14:11:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T18:11:13","slug":"7-ways-to-lighten-your-spirit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scienceandartofherbalism.com\/7-ways-to-lighten-your-spirit\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways to Lighten Your Spirit"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\"Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh, be swift to love, make haste to be kind!\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHenri Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Amiel<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTweet<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What can we do to keep our spirits high in a time of fear and uncertainty?<\/b><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t buy into the fear; fear is one of the greatest control mechanisms there is. Yes, be aware and stay informed, but also listen to your wise guiding voices within, your ancestral wisdom. We can practice the art of waking up each morning and give thanks for another day of living. Even when it seems particularly difficult or challenging, giving thanks and gratitude evokes gratitude.<\/span><\/p>\n

I believe that keeping our spirits high and our hands and minds busy is another way to build immunity. In fact, science has proven this to be true, but I knew it to be true even before science agreed with me\u2014it just made sense.1<\/a><\/sup>Barak Y. (2006). The immune system and happiness. Autoimmunity reviews, 5(8), 523\u2013527. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.autrev.2006.02.010<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The following suggestions offer simple but effective ways to feel better and more connected\u2014emotionally, spiritually, physically\u2014during times of great stress, sadness and fear. In fact, it’s wise to create a daily practice of joy and gratitude during times of great happiness as well, so that when you\u2019re in a cycle of stress and uncertainty it is easier for your mind and body to return to a place of gratefulness. Each time we hold on to a negative thought and feed it, it embeds in us and gains power. <\/span>Give power to those things that you love most in your life, those that nourish the spirit of joy and gratitude.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tThe Wisdom of No Escape
\n\nStart Where You Are
\n\nWhen Things Fall Apart \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPema Ch\u00f6dr\u00f6n<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTweet<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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1. Spend Time In Nature<\/strong><\/h5>

Spend as much time in nature as you possibly can; talk to the trees and the plants, walk on the sweet Earth. Talk to Her, and listen. It’s amazing what trees, the plants, the waters, and the wind will tell us when we listen.<\/p>

When we listen with our hearts, the message is often different from what we hear with our minds. Take time to give back to nature. When she offers us a gift, offer one back to her. It can be as simple as words of love and gratitude, a song, a prayer, or cleaning up the garbage on a trail. Nature fills us with life and light and hope and can help us to move through or face whatever challenges are in front of us\u2014and there are a lot right now. Nature heals.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\u201cThis is a wonderful day, I have never seen this one before.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMaya Angelou<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTweet<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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2. Cultivate Moments of Calm<\/strong><\/h5>

One of my elder teachers who has long since passed\u2014Brycee Buchanan, aka the Wild Weed Woman of the West\u2014used to say to me \u201cin an emergency situation there are three basic rules: 1) Don\u2019t panic; 2) Don\u2019t panic; and 3) Don\u2019t panic.\u201d How do we remain calm and centered when the world seems to be falling apart around us?<\/b><\/p>

Some people find calm through yoga and meditation practices. For others, it\u2019s movement and exercise. There are countless yoga, exercise and movement classes available online, literally something for everyone\u2019s taste. Again, rather than panic or wonder what to do, make it a daily practice\u2014even if it’s just for 5-10 minutes\u2014do something you\u2019ve been longing to do that you know will bring you joy but just haven\u2019t had enough time. Now is the time.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\u201cBring out your musical instruments and begin to play\u2026There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRumi<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTweet<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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3. Engage with the Plants<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Many of us become centered through our herbal work. What a great time to jump into your herbal studies! Make herbal medicine, clean out your herb closet, read some of those herbal books you\u2019ve been meaning to, write your herbal memoir!<\/p>\n

What more positive and nourishing thing to do now then to spend time with our healing plants. They are so empowering, ancient and wise, and that healing energy infuses into us as we work with them, be with them, study them, and grow them. Even the simple act of making a cup of healing herb tea can lift and lighten our spirits. It\u2019s these simple daily practices that can change our lives.<\/p>\n

4. Practice Self Care<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Taking care of our spirit means taking care of our bodies. Nothing can soothe the soul and relax the body quite like a long soak in an herbal bath. If you don\u2019t have a bathtub you can also do foot baths and hand baths, which work remarkably well.<\/p>\n

An herbal bath can be relaxing if even enjoyed for 15-20 minutes. But \u2018to do it right\u2019, i.e. as a ceremonial healing ritual, plan for 30-45 minutes and try to do it weekly for long term effects.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Herbal Bath Formulas<\/h2>\n
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Ingredients<\/h3>

Stimulating Herbal Blend<\/h4>